In this article you will discover the most popular areas where to stay in Delhi with their pros and cons and I will give you recommendations of hotels in each of the neighborhoods of the Indian capital.
New Delhi is the gateway to India for many travelers and transit destination to other destinations in the country or neighboring countries. So starting or ending the trip comfortably and without surprises at the hotel is the wish of any traveler.
Tips for deciding where to stay in Delhi
- You must know the areas or neighborhoods of the Indian capital with its pros and cons
- Keep in mind your itinerary and places to see in Delhi to choose the location of the hotel
- Choose hotels with nearby metro station
- If you have flights or train travel, take into account schedules and traffic peaks before choosing your hotel (there is a lot of traffic in Delhi)
- Be clear about your budget for accommodation in Delhi and adapt your expectations to it: luxury hotels in Delhi, cheap hotels in Delhi, hostels etc.
- Check out the reviews of Tripadvisor , Booking.com (can only be done by travelers who have been staying at the properties).
- Be clear about the type of traveler you are and your priorities: price, location, local experience, cleanliness, noise, quietness, restaurant etc.
Best places to stay in Delhi
The best neighborhoods to stay in Delhi (and to live in) are located in the downtown and south of the city. The most popular areas of South Delhi are Haus Khas, Greater Kailash, Defence Colony and Green Park. From the center Connaught Place is the best area.
These areas are considered the best due to their location, the condition of the streets and common areas, as well as their restaurant and commercial services. However, these areas are considered to be the best due to their location there are other charming neighborhoods that have excellent hotels, different local experiences and very authentic.
Now I will take you on a tour of some of the neighborhoods of Delhi so you can learn a little about them and choose your hotel depending on your needs or travel criteria. And in each area I recommend a hotel in Delhi.
Neighborhoods of New Delhi (where to stay in Delhi)
SOUTH DELHI:
It is a quiet and very nice area with picturesque neighborhoods. In the south of the city there are quite a few luxury hotels but you will also find cheap hotels.
Hauz Khas
It is a neighborhood that is very fashionable and is located right at the entrance of the deer park. There are quite a few restaurants, most of them have live music on the rooftops and there is a lot of nightlife. Here, I recommend Prakash Kutir B&B , is a family home with lodging services, the treatment is great, very clean and has many frequent travelers who consider it their home in Delhi (it must be for a reason). Another recommendation is LetsBunk Poshtel & Suites a modern, minimalist and very cozy hotel.
Greater Kailash
A perfect area to live or (stay) with residential areas and top quality buildings. Like all neighborhoods in Delhi, it is full of life, commerce and restaurants. It is safe and easy to access and is about 30 min from Connaught Place during hours of smooth traffic. In Greater Kailash I recommend the hotel Bloom Boutique GK.
Karol Bagh
This neighborhood is a good place to stay in Delhi. It has one of the oldest and most famous markets in the city, plus a multitude of stores, restaurants and street food stalls. It is a place with a lot of activity but very safe and well connected to the rest of the city.
DELHI CENTRAL:
Connaught Place (the ideal place to stay in Delhi)
It is the commercial and financial area of the city. A very central area surrounded by stores, restaurants, clubs, entertainment areas and many of the monuments of New Delhi. The location is perfect and you have hotels for all budgets. If you want to stay in Connaught Place but on a tight budget, the Palace Heights Hotel usually offers very good prices for the area. If you have a higher budget I recommend the Radisson Blu Marina and if you prefer a luxury option, then The Imperial.
My favorite in this area due to its balance of quality and price is Bloom Boutique, a very new and minimalist hotel but with all the comforts in the heart of the city.
Old Delhi
This is the old city of the Indian capital and is the area where you will find many of the monuments that are sure to be on your list of visits: the Jama Masjid Mosque, the Red Fort, the Chandni Chowk and Raj Ghat. It is a very picturesque and authentic area, especially the Chandhi Chawk bazaar where it seems that time stood still two centuries ago... If your budget is tight I recommend you the Tara Palace Red Fort and if you want to live a unique experience and you don't mind investing a little more in your stay, I highly recommend the Haveli Dharampura, a UNESCO award-winning historic boutique hotel.
Paharganj
It is the backpacker district of the Indian capital. Here you will find very cheap hotels in the city center. It is close to the New Delhi train station and has a metro station as well. There is street food from early morning until late at night, many stores and restaurants. It is quite a busy neighborhood, with a lot of shops and restaurants., the perfect enclave to feel the intensity of India.. If you are one of those who want experiences and adventures and do not have high expectations regarding accommodation, Paharganj can be a good option, but if you want comfort and a quiet place better not to stay here.
For me the best hotel in Paharganj is FabHotel White Klove Paharganj. It is a simple hotel but with very spacious rooms, fantastic shower, everything is clean and the staff is super nice.
AIRPORT
Aerocity
It is a fairly new area with many hotels, restaurants and shopping areas. It is 10 min from the airport and connected to the city by subway. All the hotels look good so evaluate the price and decide (many of them have swimming pool). I personally like the Aloft New Delhi Aerocity.
Areas that I do not recommend...
Mahipalpur
This area is just a few minutes from the airport and you can find extremely cheap hotels but in most cases they don't look much like the pictures you see when you book. It is a chaotic, dirty and busy area, perhaps not the best experience for your last night in Delhi. This neighborhood has been very popular for spending the last night before a morning or early morning flight or even to rest for a while before a connecting flight.
Years ago, in my first trips to India, I stayed there several times and if you finally decide to stay in Mahipalpur (although I do not recommend it) I share 3 hotels so that the search is not so difficult for you. If you are on a tight budget the International Inn Hotel can be a good option, there are travelers who consider that it is good value for money for one night but other travelers with different needs are not satisfied.
If you have the budget for a better hotel, I recommend you to go to Aerocity hehehe, but if you still want to stay in Mahipalpur, you can try the Taurus Sarovar Portico (in the heart of Mahipalpur) or the Radisson Blu Plaza Delhi Airport (it belongs to the Mahipalpur area but is not in the chaotic zone). In both, the service and cleanliness are good (you can tell that they are from big and reputable hotel companies). Again, if you have the budget, go directly to Aerocity!
If you wish to compare hotels, you can see the reviews of these Delhi hotels at Tripadvisor.
I hope my tips will help you decide where to stay in Delhi and I also hope you enjoy this city full of history where the most innovative present and the most baroque past coexist in total harmony.
If you have any questions leave me your comment! And I'd love to hear about your experience in Delhi, I read your comments!
Leave a Reply